Selecting the video games prominent in our memories as a class activity spurred in me memories of water word in Mario 64. I remember a certain uneasiness which would come over me in trying to attempt the levels within this particular world. My reality was seized by this alternate existence. Suddenly I was operating the controller completely engulfed in that ominous body of water. I swam on, physically experiencing the sensation of suffocation the longer my character went without air. I despised this level, the increased resistance from the controllers as I prompted my character to dive further down into the depths of the dark uninviting water. It confirmed in me a particular sense of helplessness within the character, he was somehow less invincible than he had been in other levels. He was still revived upon losing the game, there was no change in this, but somehow when it came to this particular world it was more difficult for me to remind myself of that. This world was a physical challenge even for Mario, and as the operator I too took on this challenge. Mario in this world more so than others had not a particular opponent or antagonist in which he had to defeat to be victorious, but rather it was the elements themselves was forced to go up against. This world is one which will never escape my mind.
